Everyone learns to brush their teeth as a child – and most people keep doing it the same way for the rest of their lives. Yet it's not force but system that decides whether every surface ends up clean.
Twice daily, two minutes – and then?
The recommendation is well known: two minutes morning and evening. It's correct. It just doesn't say anything about which surfaces actually get clean in those two minutes. Most people unconsciously brush the same spots thoroughly every time and skip the same spots every time – typically the inner sides of the lower back teeth and the outer sides of the upper back teeth.
The most effective trick, then, isn't a product but a fixed sequence. Anyone who always starts at the same point and always takes the same path through the mouth won't forget anything. For example: outside from back left to back right, then inside back the other way, then the chewing surfaces. It sounds trivial, but it measurably changes the result.
The right technique: guiding, not scrubbing
Vigorous horizontal scrubbing feels thorough, but it's counterproductive. It doesn't clean between the teeth, and over time it wears away tooth structure at the gum line – the typical wedge-shaped defects that then become sensitive to cold.
Better is a gentle motion from the gum towards the tooth, with the bristles angled lightly into the junction. With electric brushes the motion is unnecessary altogether: you simply guide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth and let the device do the work. Pressing harder doesn't help – many models even warn against it.
Manual toothbrush or electric?
Both work. A manual toothbrush cleans excellently if the technique is right. Electric brushes largely take the technique off your hands, though, and that's exactly their advantage: they forgive more. If you're choosing one, look for a small brush head and a pressure-sensor stop.
More important than the type is the bristle firmness: soft to medium bristles are entirely sufficient. Hard bristles don't clean better, but they do damage gums and tooth necks.
Toothpaste: fluoride is what counts
The most effective ingredient in any toothpaste is fluoride. It's incorporated into the tooth surface and makes it more resistant to acid. For adults, pastes with 1,000 to 1,500 ppm fluoride are standard – the figure is on the tube.
For children the amount depends on age; separate recommendations apply there, which we discuss individually at preventive appointments. A widespread misconception concerns rinsing: spit out the foam after brushing, but don't rinse vigorously with water afterwards. Otherwise the fluoride is washed straight back off.
We advise against strongly abrasive "whitening" pastes for daily use. They remove discolouration mechanically and wear away tooth structure while doing so. If you're unhappy with your tooth colour, you're better off with professional whitening.
The right timing
A question we're often asked: brush right after breakfast, or before? The answer depends on what was on the table.
After acidic foods and drinks – orange juice, fruit, soft drinks, wine – the enamel is temporarily softened. Brushing immediately mechanically wears it away. In that case, wait about 30 minutes. Rinsing with water or a piece of sugar-free gum bridges the time well.
If breakfast wasn't acidic, there's nothing against brushing right away. If you want to keep it simple: brush before breakfast, then just rinse with water afterwards.
What's often forgotten
Three things regularly fall by the wayside in everyday life:
- The spaces between the teeth. About a third of the tooth surface never sees a toothbrush. That's exactly where most decay and gum inflammation develop. We've covered how to do it properly in a separate guide.
- The tongue. A significant share of the bacteria in the mouth sit on the back of the tongue. A tongue cleaner or the back of the brush, gently front-to-back once a day, makes a noticeable difference – especially for bad breath.
- Changing the brush. At the latest every eight to twelve weeks, sooner if the bristles splay. It's also worth changing after a feverish infection.
In short: twice daily for two minutes, soft to medium bristles, fluoride toothpaste, a fixed sequence, don't rinse vigorously after brushing – and clean between your teeth once a day.